20 November 2015

Mama Mio for Pregnancy Skin

If you've read any of my pregnancy posts so far (which go up every Tuesday, if you're interested) or my recent monthly favourites posts, you will know that I have seriously upped my body care routine over the course of my pregnancy. I've always been one to pamper and preen, it's one of my favourite ways to relax and unwind and I'm a firm believer in taking some time out of everyday just for yourself, even if it's only 10 minutes.

I've always had a morning and night time body care routine, which includes cleansing and moisturising, applying various lotions and potions. I think it's something I picked up from my mum - she was always applying some cream or other and so it was something I started doing from a young age. I actually find a lot of friends don't bother with moisturising, even those friends who are super into their skincare or love adding every product you can imagine to their hair, our bodies definitely get forgotten about sometimes yet they deserve the love just as much as our faces or hair!

Throughout my pregnancy this has been even more important to me. Although I know realistically no product or treatment is going to stop you getting stretch marks (or cellulite, just so you know), there are products which can work towards helping to minimise the appearance of stretch marks, which can help your skin recover from stretch marks and overall, products which will intensively look after your skin. It's what you put on your skin and how you look after it, which effects the severity of changes you will find to your skin; the better you look after and care for your skin, the better condition it will be in.

A brand I've added into my routine over the past month or so is one which advertises themselves as 'pregnancy experts', with quite an expansive range of products to cover all aspects of pregnancy body care. Mama Mio have a whole host of products within their range which covers everything from tums to bums, boobs and legs and even facial skincare throughout your pregnancy. I've definitely found myself preferring products which are specifically tailored to pregnant skin throughout my pregnancy, so I was really intrigued to see what Mama Mio had to offer and whether the products would benefit my skin and body, which is constantly changing right now.

Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Oil, £27 120ml

I have been all about the body oils over recent months and throughout my 1st and 2nd trimester I was using the Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil, which I really love. When I finished up my Weleda oil I decided to give The Tummy Rub Oil a try, which has a slightly thicker consistency than I was used to with the Weleda one.

Safe to use both during and after pregnancy, the recently new and improved formula is packed with organic oils such as Sachi Inchi Seed Oil, Argan Kernel Oil, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Rosehip Fruit Oil as well as Vitamin E and Gravida. Each of these work together to create a really powerful and effective formula that nourishes, moisturises, improves elasticity, hydrates, relieves itching, soothes and protects even the most sensitive of skin types, whilst helping to improve the appearance and texture of skin, ultimately working to reduce the appearance of scars and marks. Sounds good, but does it actually work?

Despite being 33 weeks into my pregnancy, I am yet to get any new stretch marks, which if you've seen my bump photos on Instagram and how big my bump is, is quite a miracle in itself! I genuinely believe it is down to continued use of massage oils, particularly when applied to my tummy, bum and hips both morning and night. Of course old stretch marks are starting to be stretched to their limit, and I do expect to get at least a few new ones come through before baby arrives, but so far so good. I've certainly reached the stage where my skin feels tighter and itchy, and the Tummy Rub Oil does have an instantaneous effect of soothing my skin once applied. It is thicker in consistency than other body oils I've used throughout my pregnancy, but I do find the majority sinks in fairly well and quickly and any light residue left works to make this oil last longer throughout the day; I'm applying this twice a day whereas I was applying my other oils three times a day.

Overall I'm pretty impressed with this oil and although a touch more pricey than other options, there's a lot of things I really like about it. I love the consistency and the way it lasts longer throughout the day, the ingredients are wonderfully skin-loving and the fact it has a pump is the biggest selling point for me. Quick and easy application!

Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Butter, £23.50, 120g

This is one I've tried a few times to get a general feel for the product, but one I've actually popped to one side ready to use after baby is born, as it seems to be a fantastic option for both post-pregnancy as well as during. Just like the oil it's packed full of really hard-working ingredients, with the added hydrating base of Shea Butter.

The formula is spot on for a butter, one of my favourite ways to moisturise and hydrate skin. It's not the biggest tub in the world but for butter that is specifically for your tummy, it's more than enough to keep you going for a month or so with daily continued use. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into this again post-pregnancy, as a way to keep my skin soft and happy.

Mama Mio Lucky Legs Cooling Energising Gel, £19.50 100ml

This has been a bit of a saviour for me, not only after a long day but especially after any trips out and about, whether a quick trip to the shops or a day out in Nottingham shopping. Although I've managed to avoid much of the swelling most women experience throughout their pregnancies, I do find that my shoes are getting tighter and any walking is resulting in tired, achy feet and sore legs. At the end of each day after work or whenever I come in from a day out, I've been applying the Lucky Legs Cooling Energising Gel straight away for instantaneous relief.

With refreshing Spearmint Leaf Oil alongside Ginger Root Extract, Tangerine Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Murumuru Seed Butter, Camomile Extract and Organic Coconut Oil alongside Mentol, Lemon and Lavandin, it works to soothe, cool and revive tired legs and sore feet. I actually wish they did a mini version of this that I could pop in my handbag for on the go. It literally works straight away and doesn't leave any tacky residue on my skin, with a formula that's very easy to work into skin and doesn't feel too overwhelming. Plus, with the same handy pump as the oil, you can apply just the right amount of product in a very quick and easy, mess-free way.

I'm definitely impressed with the Mama Mio products I have tried so far and definitely plan on checking out the post-pregnancy range once baby is here. If you've tried any Mama Mio products before I'd love to hear your thoughts on them. Did you get on with them as well as me? Are there any specific products you think I need to check out?

You can explore the full Mama Mio range and check out each of the products featured today over at www.mioskincare.co.uk.

4 comments

my biggest worry when i get pregnant is having stretch marks (i already have a few on my hips but you know what i mean). Will definitely keep this name in mind! Sounds like it has truly worked on you!Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

It's definitely helped - I do believe I'll end up with a few stretch marks towards the very end but I'm so surprised I've come so far without any new ones and products like this are definitely a big reason why! xo

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